Yes, I’ve just finsihed compiling everything on my new Mac mini. I didn’t waste any time and got right to it. When running through my own installation and compilation instructions I found some errors and omisions. But everything is now corrected and you should be able to compile it yourself as well when you follow the instructions.
If you run into an error or read something you don’t understand please let me know so I can correct it, change the writing or add some extra information.
Just a quick tip on how to set the root (or System Administrators) password. I’ve had some questions from people reading the ISP in a box articles on how they could do this. Because after compiling the sourcecode you need to install the software as root user to get and set all the right privileges. During the installation of Mac OSX or when you first power on your new Mac there is no possibility to set the root password. As a normal or power user of a Mac you don’t really need the root password. You will be able to do all the things required by using an account that has administration rights.
To set or reset the System Administrators (or root for short) password yuo need the original Mac OSX install disc. Insert it into your drive and restart the computer. During the boot sequence (just before the boing sound) press the ‘C’ key on your keyboard and keep it pressed untill the spinning icon has dissappeared from the screen.
It will look like you are about to re-install your system but don’t panic. There is an item in the menu bar called Utilities, which contains an item ‘Reset Password’ in the drop down list. Select this menu item and a new window will appear.
It will show all available bootable discs connected at this time to your computer. Select the disc you are going to use for your server. Then in a drop down box beneath that you see all the configured accounts on that disc. Select the ‘System Administrator (root) from the list and type in the new password. You’ll have to enter it twice for confirmation and to make sure you typed it correct. Press the ‘Save’ button and your done. Quit the reset password utility by closing the window or select Quit from the menu.
Then close the installation screen and select the restart option. The computer will reboot and the root user will have a known password.
Finally, got the money together to buy a second Mac mini. After buying it from the local Apple dealer (the 1.42 GHz model with AE/BT and combo drive) I got home and unpacked it as soon as possible to find out if it was one of the newer, secretly upgraded, models. When finished booting and going to all the first setup questions I finally was able to run the system profiler.
Happy, happy, happy…..
Yes it is one of the newer 1.5 GHz models with faster harddrive and more video memory. Lucky me, the faster hardrive and processor will make the server just a fraction faster for no extra money.
Next up, getting everything installed to get it running as a server and recheck my compilation notes.